2010-252A (17) - Laserfiche WebLink

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While Indian River County has a conventional zoning code, the county has used the Planned Development (Traditional Neighborhood Design) District as a form -based regulatory mechanism in the past. This approach is similar to that used by Sarasota County, which adopted its Planned Mixed -Use Infill District in 2007. While the structure and terminology of Sarasota County's Planned Mixed -Use Infill District and Indian River County's Planned Development (Traditional Neighborhood Design) District are different, both counties utilize the planned development process to implement a form -based approach to regulating development. In Indian River County, three projects have been approved using the Planned Development (TND) process. Those are Pointe West, Liberty Park, and Sunnyside Up. Because the county's PD(TND) district already provides a regulatory mechanism for permitting form -based development similar to form -based districts used in other jurisdictions, it is not necessary for the county to implement a new form -based code. Going forward, the county should continue to utilize the PD district to allow TND projects. While the PD(TND) district is appropriate for larger TND projects, the PD process can be too cumbersome for smaller TND projects, such as those on sites less than 40 acres. As discussed above under "Traditional Neighborhood Design", the county should allow TND projects as an administrative permit use on sites less than 40 acres. AGRICULTURAL LAND In Indian River County, all land designated for agricultural use is located outside the urban service area. In 2007, agriculturally -designated land accounted for approximately 51% of the unincorporated area of the county. Decline in Agricultural Activity Within the county, agriculture is in a state of decline. In the past several years, citrus groves and pasture land within the urban service area have been converted to new residential and commercial uses, while land outside of the urban service area is being converted to large -lot single family residential development, sand mines, and other uses. As market demand for new residential and commercial development increases, it is expected that these trends will continue. In addition, it is expected that significant development will occur in agricultural areas recently annexed by municipalities. Several factors have contributed to the recent decline in agriculture within the county. Those factors include: • The rapid increase in property values that occurred between 2000 and 2006; • The encroachment of residential ranchettes; • The introduction of two separate citrus diseases; • The 2004 hurricanes; and • Municipal annexations. Future Land Use Element 107